Lia:Tansy’s reordering the cherry-rhubarb cinnamon rolls. The Gilded Lady is officially a regular client.
For a second, I just stare at the message, even though other ones are rolling through.
Regular client.
The Gilded Lady.
That’s not small, nor is that polite small-town support. That’s Tansy, who is as stingy as it gets with baking, putting her reputation behind what Lia can do.
A smile pulls at my mouth so hard it almost hurts.
Knox:Hell yes. Told you those rolls were dangerous.
Walker:I’m proud of you, Lia. Truly.
My fingers fly across the keyboard.
Eli:That’s my girl. Knew Tansy had taste. When’s the order due by?
The two minutes that go by before she responds is agonizing.
Lia:As soon as possible, though we did a lot of baking this morning, so I won’t get them up and running until tomorrow. I’m headed home now to get a nap. I’m pooped.
Knox:It’s almost lunch time, Sunshine. Make sure you eat something before you crash out.
Walker:I can have the restaurant whip something up for you to take with you, if you’re headed this way.
I go to respond before I hear Amber’s tiny footsteps padding down the hallway. “Daddy?”
“Hmmm?”
She rounds the corner and furrows her brow. “You’re smiling weird.”
I huff out a laugh. “Sorry. Lia’s just got some good news today.”
Amber’s whole face lights up. “Is she coming over to celebrate!?”
The question hits me right in the chest.
Why not?
I drop my attention to my phone again as my fingers quickly type out the message.
Eli:This calls for some celebrating. Everyone at my place for dinner tonight. Amber wants to see you, and Pickles cancome and get out of that apartment for a while. What do you guys say?
At first, no one responds, and I wonder if I’ve overstepped my boundaries or read the situation wrong. I scroll up to the start of the conversation, rereading it back just to make sure I didn’t miss anything that was said.
But then, three little dots start jumping around.
Knox:I’ll bring wine. And something non-alcoholic so I don’t get side-eyed by a tiny human.
Walker:I’ll stop by the market after work. Fresh ingredients. No one worry about cooking, I’ve got just the thing we need.
Lia:Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.
My jaw tightens.
Eli:None of you will be intruding. Front door will be unlocked. Just come in. Walker, what time’s dinner?
